Syracuse football team takes the field at Fort Drum

Fort Drum, NY — Syracuse University football players and coaches heard a rousing welcome from the base commander and took to the practice field for the first time Monday afternoon at Sligh Field here.

“Hopefully we’ll give you a little bit of a different perspective, and how lucky you are to be playing Division One football,” Maj. Gen. Mark A. Milley told players gathered near a complex of grass fields on a sunny, breezy day.

The practice complex was set between several housing complexes on the base 80 miles north of Syracuse. Players will spend a week practicing, and also engaging in leadership and physical training exercises developed by the Army. On Saturday, the SU team will hold a scrimmage that will be open to troops and their families.

“We wanted to open up the door to Syracuse to bring up their players to show them a little bit about the Army,” Milley said. “We also want to have the opportunity to connect America’s people to America’s Army. This is a perfect venue to make that connection.”

Marrone donned a 10th Mountain Division jersey, with the number 10 on it, before practice began. Milley, after speaking with the media, called up former SU and NFL running back Floyd Little for a photo opportunity and introduction.

“I want to get Floyd Little up here in front of a camera,” Milley said. “I don’t know how many of you remember Floyd Little. This guy’s 70 years old right now. Seven-zero. And you know what he runs the 40 (yard dash) in right now? Four nine, and he’s working on 4.7.”